European stocks gained ahead of the UK unemployment rate for the three months to November and the Bank of England's (BOE) meeting minutes.

Britain's jobless rate is expected to fall to 7.3% from 7.4% the previous period, edging closer the central bank's 7% threshold at which it will consider raising interest rates.

The BoE has vowed to keep interest rates at record lows for an extended period until unemployment declines to at least 7% but it is not a trigger.

"With the unemployment rate fast approaching 7%, the threshold that Governor Mark Carney previously claimed was the point at which an interest rate hike would first be considered, the central bank is going to have to do something to reassure households, businesses and the markets that an increase in rates will not happen in the coming months," according to Alpari Market Analyst, Craig Erlam.

The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) earlier this month decided to keep interest rates at 0.5% and its quantitative easing programme at £375bn.

The minutes from the January 9th meeting, released today, should shed further light behind the decision.

In other closely watched macro-news today, Syria peace talks will begin in Geneva.

The United Nations (UN) on Monday withdrew an invitation to Iran to attend just 24 hours after it was issued as the Syrian Opposition threatened to pull out unless Iranian officials first publicly committed to a transitional government for Syria.

The UN talks with the Syrian government and the opposition in Switzerland come amid violence in the country and accusations that the country's regime killed civilians.

SSAB AB to buy Rautaruukki Oyj

Rautaruukki Oyj surged after SSAB AB announced plans to buy the Finnish steelmaker.

ABB Ltd. slumped after the power and automation technology company said charges from project delays and operational issues will hurt profit.

Societe Television Francaise 1 gained after Discovery Communications Inc. said it will increase its stake in the company's Eurosport unit.

ASML Holding edged higher after the European semiconductor-equipment supplier announced plans to raise its 2013 dividend by 15%.

The euro fell 0.16% to $1.3539.

Brent crude futures rose $0.466 to $107.230 per barrel, according to the ICE.

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